In order to ensure maintenance of quality rental housing within the city, landlords and property managers are required to annually register all long-term residential rental properties located in the City of Renton through the Rental Registration Program.
Exemptions: Exceptions for registration include room rentals in owner-occupied housing, commercial lodging, short-term rentals, state-licensed facilities, and housing owned by government groups or by housing authorities. See RMC 4.5.125(B) for applicability. Please complete the Rental Registration Program Exemption Request Form if you believe your property is exempt.
Registration can be completed online, by email, or by mail and must be renewed annually on or before January 31. To register or renew, complete and submit the Rental Registration Form. For landlords of more than one rental property, submit one Renton Registration Form for each property.
Online: Visit rentonwa.gov/rentalform and fill out the Rental Registration Form
By Email: Visit rentonwa.gov/rentalregistration to download the Rental Registration Form and send via email to rentalregistration@rentonwa.gov
Mail a copy to: Attn: Rental Registration Program City of Renton 1055 S. Grady Way Renton WA 98057
The Rental Registration Program enforces the Washington State Landlord-Tenant Act and existing building and property standards of Renton. This program imposes no additional standards on landlords, other than those already in place by the city and state code. Violations can be issued for:- Failure to register- False Reporting on the Rental Registration Form and/or- Failure to fulfill obligations under the Washington State Landlord Tenant Act or existing building and property standards of Renton (RMC 4.5.125 & Chapter 59-18 RCW).
Landlord Duties Tenant Duties
If you suspect a rental property is not in compliance with the City of Renton's rental registration requirements, you can report a violation through Renton Responds - SeeClickFix. Renton Responds allows residents to easily submit concerns, track their status, and receive updates from city staff.
To report a violation, visit Renton Responds - SeeClickFix to submit details, including the property address and a brief description of the issue.
Penalties follow existing City procedures outlines in Chapters 1-3 of the Renton Municipal Code.
Failure to adhere to applicable codes outlines in the Washington State Landlord-Tenant Act and existing building and property standards of Renton (RMC 4.5125 & Chapter 59-18 RCW), is a violation of the program and will require a resubmission of a Certificate of Inspection, to be completed by a qualified inspector showing the rental property has not failed to fulfill any obligation imposed under the Washington State Landlord-Tenant Act.
List of pre-approved and qualified inspectors
To change utilities over to the tenants name, property owners are required to complete Residential Tenant Billing Form. Please ensure that the form is fully completed, including the Rental Registration Number, and notarized if you're out of state.
Completed forms can be submitted via email, fax, or in person.
Email: ub@rentonwa.gov
Fax: (425) 430-6855
Address: 1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
Landlords are not required to obtain a City of Renton Business License, but property management companies, short-term rentals and at-home businesses operating within the city’s limits are required to have a business license. If a property management company or other business is located outside the city limits, apply for and maintain an out of city business license. Information on business licensing is available online at our Business page.
Third-party inspections are not mandatory under the City of Renton’s program, except in cases where a Certificate of Inspection is requested due to likely violations. For regular registration and annual renewal, landlords may self-certify the compliance of their units. Landlords voluntarily may choose to provide an inspection report in lieu of a Declaration of Compliance Checklist.
Although housing authorities have a strong relationship with local, state, and federal governments, they are actually independent agencies. Charted under state law, a housing authority is an autonomous, not-for-profit public corporation. This organizational structure allows housing authorities to work in conjunction with local governments and agencies to develop long-term housing strategies for communities. Housing authorities are required to follow federal regulations. In addition, housing authorities receive a subsidy from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Renton Housing Authority was established in 1941 and has operated continuously since to provide affordable housing to those in need within the city.
Yes, landlords are required to register in the city’s Rental Registration Program. Registration is free and you can register online at rentonwa.gov/rentalform.
The program protects the public health, safety, and welfare of tenants by encouraging rental housing within the city to be actively operated and maintained in compliance with RCW 59.18, the Residential Landlord Tenant Act.
Rental Registration Program:
425-430-7259
rentalregistration@rentonwa.gov
8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday-Friday
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
9 a.m.- 11:30 a.m.
1 p.m.- 4 p.m.
1st Floor Customer Service
1055 S Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057